Underwear garment

ABSTRACT

An underwear garment that can be worn beneath or under an outer garment, so that at least a portion of the underwear garment is visible or can be seen from outside of the outer garment. An undergarment portion of the underwear garment can provide comfort to the user while a band and connector can provide the looks of or the aesthetics of a thong or a similar type of underwear. When a user wears the outer garment in a use position, the outer garment hides at least a portion of the undergarment, or hides the entire undergarment, so that the undergarment is not visible or is hidden from view when looking from outside of the outer garment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This Patent Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 61/624,840, filed on 16 Apr. 2012. The co-pending Provisional Patent Application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and is made a part hereof, including but not limited to those portions which specifically appear hereinafter.

The entire teachings of each and every one of the following United States Patent documents are incorporated into this Specification by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 2,534,024, U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,729 and United States Patent Application Publication US 2005/0064789 A1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an underwear garment that has a primary panty or brief part that provides the comfort of conventional underwear attached or otherwise connected with respect to a secondary strap or band part that provides the look of a thong or a thong underwear piece.

2. Discussion of Related Art

There are many known or conventional types of underwear or undergarments. Some conventional underwear or undergarments include panties, briefs or other similar underwear items. Other conventional underwear or undergarments include thongs or thong type underwear. There is a need for an undergarment that combines the comfort of conventional panties, briefs or other similar underwear items with the aesthetics or looks of thongs or thong type underwear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The underwear garment of this invention, according to different embodiments, provides comfort to the user, which can be similar to the comfort associated with conventional underwear, such as panties, briefs and other types of conventional underwear. In some embodiments of this invention, a panel, for example the main part of an undergarment, can be worn by the user to provide comfort. In some embodiments of this invention, a band is attached to a connector to form a portion of the underwear garment that looks like or has the aesthetics of a thong or another similar type of underwear.

According to some embodiments of this invention, the overall underwear garment includes an undergarment portion and a thong portion. In some embodiments of this invention, the thong portion includes a band or strap integrated with, connected to, secured to and/or otherwise attached to a connector. In different embodiments of this invention, the connector can have any suitable design, including size, shape and/or material.

When the user is wearing the underwear garment, such as in a use position, an outer garment worn over the underwear garment at least partially covers or entirely covers the undergarment portion and does not cover and thus allows the thong portion to remain visible. Thus, a user wearing the underwear garment according to this invention can have the comfort of a conventional underwear piece while simultaneously maintaining the look of or the overall appearance of wearing only a thong or other similar type of underwear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an underwear garment, according to one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the underwear garment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an underwear garment, shown on a user in a use position but with no outer garment on the user, according to another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view of an underwear garment including a connector attached to and/or integrated with a band, and an undergarment at least partially formed by a panel, all visible from outside of the outer garment, according to another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5 shows a rear perspective view of the underwear garment shown in FIG. 4, with the band and only a portion of the connector visible from outside of the outer garment, and with the entire undergarment hidden or not visible from outside of the outer garment;

FIG. 6 is a front view of an underwear garment, according to another embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the underwear garment shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Many of the technical features and/or elements of this invention are similar to those taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,534,024 and 5,461,729 and U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2005/0064789 A1, the entire teachings and disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference into and made a part of this Specification.

The garment or apparatus of this invention, such as garment 20, can be used to simultaneously obtain the comfort of conventional panties, briefs or other similar underwear or undergarments and also obtain the look, aesthetics or external appearance of thong underwear or other similar undergarments. In some embodiments of this invention, band 30 is attached at two locations at or on a panty, brief or other similar underwear or undergarment, and connector 40 is attached between band 30 and the panty, brief or other similar underwear or undergarment.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show garment 20, according to one embodiment of this invention. As used throughout this specification and in any claim, the term band is intended to relate to and be interchangeable with the terms strap, belt, cord, rope and/or any other suitable term for or that otherwise describes a relatively elongated member, a fabric and/or another suitable material, such as a material that has the appearance or look of a thong or other similar garment. FIG. 1 shows band 30 attached to front panel 22 at or near both area 31 and area 32 of front panel 22. In other embodiments of this invention, band 30 can be attached to front panel 22, rear panel 24 and/or side panel 28 at or near one area or location or at or near more than two areas or locations. For example, the side view of FIG. 3 shows band 30 attached at two areas 32 on the side shown in FIG. 3, and thus in this particular embodiment, band 30 is attached at a total of four areas 31 and 32, two areas 32 shown in FIG. 3 and another two areas on the opposite side of the side shown in FIG. 3. In other embodiments of this invention, band 30 can be integrated with front panel 22, rear panel 24 and/or middle panel 26, for example, and thus form an integrated area of attachment.

As used throughout this specification and in any claim, the terms attached, attachment, secured, securement, fixed, fixation, connected and/or connection are intended to be interchangeable with each other and relate to a fixed connection and/or a variable connection between, for example, band 30 and a panel or a main part of garment 20 comprising, in some embodiments of this invention, front panel 22, rear panel 24, middle panel 26 and/or side panel 28. In some embodiments of this invention, band 30 is connected with or by a sewn attachment. In other embodiments of this invention, band 30 can be connected to the panel or the main part of garment 20 by being integrated with the panel or the main part. In still other embodiments of this invention, band 30 can be connected to the panel or the main part of garment 20 with a snap connection, a hook-and-loop connection, a buckle connection and/or any other suitable connection used to secure band 30 directly to or with respect to the panel or the main part of garment 20, in a fixed manner and/or a variable manner.

As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the panel or the main part of garment 20 comprises or is formed by front panel 22, middle panel 26 and/or rear panel 24, which can be integrated as one continuous material and/or can be individual panels sewn or otherwise attached or connected with respect to each other. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the panel or the main part of garment 20 further comprises side panels 28 formed by another band of material, for example, similar to the material of band 30. In some other embodiments of this invention, for example as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, side panel 28 is formed by a relatively larger material, and in some embodiments of this invention can also be integrated with front panel 22 and/or rear panel 24. Any other suitable arrangement and/or combination of panels or other elements can be used to form the panel or the main part of garment 20, according to this invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, connector 40 is integrated with, connected to, attached to and/or otherwise secured in a fixed manner and/or a variable manner directly or indirectly to or with respect to band 30 and also to rear panel 24. In some embodiments of this invention, connector 40 is integrated with band 30 and/or a panel, such as rear panel 24. In other embodiments of this invention, connector 40 is a separate element from band 30 and/or rear panel 24. Connector 40 can have any suitable size, shape and/or design to accomplish a desired look. In some embodiments of this invention, aesthetics of band 30 and/or connector 40 can appear as a thong underwear or other similar undergarment.

For example, FIGS. 4 and 5 show how a user of garment 20 can obtain or achieve the comfort of a panty, a brief or other suitable underwear or undergarment while simultaneously obtaining or achieving the look or aesthetics of thong underwear or other similar undergarment. As used throughout the specification and in any claim, the terms panty, brief underwear, undergarment and/or any other suitable term are intended to be interchangeable with each other and relate to an undergarment which can be worn under or beneath and/or be hidden by an outer garment, for example an undergarment that provides comfort. As used throughout this specification and in any claim, the terms thong, thong underwear, thong undergarment and/or any other suitable term are intended to be interchangeable with each other and relate to an undergarment, for example, underwear that provides the look or aesthetics of a thong.

FIGS. 1-7 show different embodiments of garment 20 according to this invention, with differently sized and shaped elements of this invention. In many embodiments of this invention, when a user wears garment 20 and also wears pants or another similar garment over and/or at least partially covering or hiding garment 20, band 30 and/or connector 40 appear as or have the aesthetic value of the strap portion of a conventional thong, thong underwear and/or thong undergarment, and the panty part or the main part of garment 20 provides the user with the comfort associated with conventional underwear. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, when pants or another garment or outer garment 50 is worn over garment 20, the connections at areas 31 and 32 and also the connection between rear panel 24 and connector 40, for example as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is hidden, not shown or not visible from outside of the pants or other outer garment, which gives the appearance that the user is wearing a thong.

In some embodiments of this invention, garment 20 comprises an underwear garment for wearing under or beneath another garment or piece of clothing, such as outer garment 50, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In some embodiments of this invention, the underwear garment comprises at least one band 30 attached with respect to a panel of a main part of undergarment 21. In some embodiments of this invention, connector 40 is attached directly and/or indirectly with respect to band 30 and with respect to the panel, such as front panel 22, rear panel 24 and/or middle panel 26. In some embodiments of this invention, in a use position, such as shown in FIG. 5, undergarment 21 is hidden or otherwise not visible from an exterior of and/or outside of outer garment 50. In some embodiments of this invention, outer garment 50 hides, covers and/or makes not visible undergarment 21 from outside of outer garment 50. As shown by FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, garment 20 of this invention can have the comfort of undergarment 21, such as conventional underwear, panties and/or briefs, but still appear as a conventional thong or other similar underwear.

In some embodiments according to this invention, the panel comprises front panel 22 and rear panel 24 and each band 30 is attached to front panel 22 and/or rear panel 24. In other embodiments according to this invention, the panel, such as front panel 22 and/or rear panel 24, is attached to band 30 at least at area 31 and/or a different area 32 of the panel.

In some embodiments according to this invention, connector 40 is integrated with the panel and/or band 30. In other embodiments of this invention, connector 40 is a separate element from the panel and/or band 30. In some embodiments of this invention, connector 40 forms and/or has the appearance of a thong or other similar thong-like underwear.

In some embodiments according to this invention, an attachment between the panel, such as front panel 22 and/or rear panel 24, and band 30 is fixed and/or variable. For example, band 30 can be attached with a fixed connection, such as a sewn connection, an adhesive connection and/or any other suitable connection that fixes the position of band 30 with respect to the panel. In other embodiments according to this invention, band 30 can be attached with a variable connection, such as a belt-and-buckle connection, a hook-and-loop connection, a snapped connection and/or any other suitable connection that can be adjusted or otherwise varied.

In some embodiments according to this invention, such as shown in FIG. 5, in the use position, outer garment 50 hides or otherwise makes not visible at least a portion of connector 40, particularly from an outside of outer garment 50. In other embodiments of this invention, in the use position, outer garment 50 hides or otherwise makes not visible the entire panel and a connection and/or integration between connector 40 and the panel.

According to some embodiments of this invention, when in the use position, such as shown in FIG. 5, at least a portion of band 30 and at least a portion of connector 40 appear from outside outer garment 50 as a thong or other thong-type underwear.

While in the foregoing detailed description this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An underwear garment for wearing under an outer garment, the underwear garment comprising: at least one band attached with respect to a panel of a main part of an undergarment, a connector attached with respect to the at least one band and with respect to the panel, and in a use position of the underwear garment with respect to the outer garment the outer garment hiding the undergarment from outside of the outer garment.
 2. The underwear garment according to claim 1, wherein the panel has a front panel and a rear panel and the at least one band is attached to the front panel and the rear panel.
 3. The underwear garment according to claim 2, wherein the panel is attached to each said band at least at a first area and a second area of the panel.
 4. The underwear garment according to claim 1, wherein the connector is integrated with the panel and/or the at least one band.
 5. The underwear garment according to claim 1, wherein the connector is a separate element from the panel and/or the at least one band.
 6. The underwear garment according to claim 1, wherein the connector forms a thong.
 7. The underwear garment according to claim 1, wherein an attachment between the panel and the at least one band is fixed or variable.
 8. The underwear garment according to claim 1, wherein in the use position the outer garment hides at least a portion of the connector.
 9. The underwear garment according to claim 1, wherein in the use position the outer garment hides the entire panel and a connection between the connector and the panel.
 10. The underwear garment according to claim 1, wherein in the use position at least a portion of the at least one band and at least a portion of the connector appear from outside the outer garment as a thong underwear.
 11. An underwear garment for wearing under an outer garment, the underwear garment comprising: a band attached with respect to a panel of an undergarment, a connector attached with respect to the band and with respect to the panel, and in a use position of the underwear garment with respect to the outer garment at least a portion of the panel not visible from outside of the outer garment.
 12. The underwear garment according to claim 11, wherein the panel has a front panel and a rear panel and the band is attached to the front panel and the rear panel.
 13. The underwear garment according to claim 11, wherein the connector is a separate element from or is integrated with the panel and/or the band.
 14. The underwear garment according to claim 11, wherein the connector forms a thong.
 15. The underwear garment according to claim 11, wherein an attachment between the panel and the at least one band is fixed or variable.
 16. The underwear garment according to claim 11, wherein in the use position the outer garment hides at least a portion of the connector and/or the outer garment hides the entire panel and a connection between the connector and the panel.
 17. The underwear garment according to claim 11, wherein in the use position at least a portion of the band and at least a portion of the connector appear from outside the outer garment as a thong underwear.
 18. In an underwear garment for wearing an undergarment under an outer garment, the improvement comprising: a band attached with respect to a panel of the undergarment, a connector attached between the band and the panel, and in a use position of the underwear garment with respect to the outer garment the undergarment not visible from outside of the outer garment.
 19. The underwear garment according to claim 18, wherein the connector forms a thong.
 20. The underwear garment according to claim 18, wherein in the use position the outer garment hides the entire panel and a connection between the connector and the panel. 